ST. PAUL – The Minnesota unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 5.2 percent in June, reaching its lowest point since May 2008, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate in June was unchanged at 7.6 percent.

State employers added 400 jobs in June; a 2,500 increase in private sector hiring was offset by a 2,100 loss in government employment. May figures were revised upward by 1,900 jobs, from 8,400 jobs gained to 10,300. Over the past year, the state has added 54,100 jobs, a growth rate of two percent. The U.S. growth rate during that period was 1.7 percent.

“The Minnesota economy continues to improve, with the unemployment rate reaching a post-recessionary low point and private sector employers adding 2,500 jobs in June,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “We have now recovered 95 percent of the jobs that were lost in the recession.”

Professional and business services added 3,600 jobs last month to lead all sectors. Other gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (up 1,900), leisure and hospitality (up 1,400), logging and mining (up 200), and education and health services (up 100).

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

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